Ex minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah resigns from Congress, likely to join BRS

Hyderabad: In a setback for Telangana Congress ahead of the Assembly elections, senior Congress leader and former minister of united Andhra Pradesh Ponnala Lakshmaiah resigned from the Congress party citing disrespect and a lack of vision in the party high command. A source confirmed that, Ponnala has been in contact with BRS top brass and is likely to the join the party.

Lakshmaiah, who was in the Congress party for 40 years, in a letter to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, resigned from the party citing an “unjust environment”. He said that even though he has been a loyal supporter of the party, the party has not responded positively to his contributions.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to discontinue my association with the party. I have reached a point where I feel that I can no longer thrive in such an unjust environment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported me in my various party roles over the years,” he said in the letter.

“I have been badly treated in the last two years. There are new groups in the party who are only interested in the commercial aspects,” he added.

Ponnala was denied Jangaon ticket

According to sources in the Congress party, Ponnala, a four-time MLA, had applied for the Jangaon ticket for the 2023 Assembly elections. “Ponnala Lakshmaiah came to know that his name was not on the survey list. It is said that he was denied a ticket since he was not a winning candidate. Hence, he has taken this route which most in his position would do after being denied."

The Congress leaders stated that the party’s image among the cadre working on the ground level will take a hit because of this situation. Another leader said, “Why did he not mention in the letter what the party has done for him?”

Ponnala said the ruling BRS party recognises BC leaders and offers them good positions while even leaders such as the PCC president, campaign committee chairman, former MPs and working presidents are unable to secure an audience with the top leadership of the Congress to discuss the concerns of BC leaders of the party in the state.

BC leaders comment on Ponnala’s resignation

Even as the Congress party is grappling with the demands of candidates from the Backward Classes, Lakshmaiah’s resignation has made the issue more complicated.

Citing one of the main reasons for his disappointment with Congress, Ponnala, in his letter, wrote about his trip to New Delhi to meet the party high command. He alleged that when a group of 50 Backward Class leaders from Telangana went to Delhi to request prioritisation for the BCs, they were ignored and even denied a meeting with the AICC leaders. “An embarrassment for the state that prides itself on self-respect,” he said.

“It is deeply unfortunate that senior leaders like me have had to wait for months to discuss party concerns and I have personally expressed the frustration at waiting for 10 days in Delhi to meet AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal,” he alleged.

However, a BC leader said that there is no connection. “Lakshmaiah’s resignation has nothing to do with the ongoing differences between the BC leaders and the Congress party. He has resigned because he didn’t get the ticket. That’s the plain truth,” they said.

Survey versus seniors

Lakshmaiah’s resignation is a clear indication that the Congress party will only consider poll surveys for the distribution of party tickets for the Telangana Assembly elections. Only those who seem capable of winning the race will be given a ticket.

With this clarity, the Congress party leadership in Delhi has made it clear that they will accommodate those who stay with the party in other positions. But in the race of elections, only those who win will be rewarded with the esteemed ticket.

His resignation comes as a setback for the Congress which was going to announce its list of candidates after Dussera for the November 30 elections.